Advice on crippled chick

[dave pioli]

I need some advice on what to do with a crippled chick. She is about 3 months old and can't walk at all. One leg is rigid, sticks straight out and is not functional. She kinda sorta crawls or rolls around and is marginally able to get to the water food station. She is half the size of others her age and gets pecked bad. Seems to be suffering and tends to moan(thats what wifey says) A friend is a Vet Technician and says there is nothing a Veterinarian could do to help. So I say live and let live and just try to give her special food and maybe a custom bed. My friend says put her out of her misery.
Backyard Chicken people advice??????

 

[Kiki]

Welcome to BYC.
I am sorry your are going through this.

How long has she been like this?

 

[dave pioli]

She seemed Ok as a little chick, but developed bad leg at only 2 or 3 weeks. So she has been disabled most of her short life.

 

[Kiki]

She may have had a slipped tendon and it never healed right.
It could be many different things, I'd have to say if she wasn't getting around well it may be better to "help" her, but the next person may come along and tell you to do everything in you power to keep her alive.
It's a choice only you can make.

 

[Eggcessive]

This is always a personal decision about putting one down or trying to help one get around as normally as possible, since leg bone deformities and injuries can be very common in chickens. If you Google "wheelchairs for chickens" you can go up to images, and see several homemade wheelchairs for disabled birds. Also Google "chicken slings" for more temporary devices to get her up. You can try a few things, and then decide what is best for the both of you. Good luck.

 

[dave pioli]

When I checked on her this morning she was barely alive and could not move. She was making odd gurgling sounds. With a little prayer I sent her on her way to chicken heaven (To hang out with Henry Peepers, the great chicken ever, but that is a separate story). I buried her next to Ohana the dog facing the coop. Goodbye little chick. I love you.
Thanks for all your advice!

 

[MommaHen2Many]

Sorry for you & your hen. hugs I think every chicken I have lost, still holds a little place in my heart, as it sounds like yours do with you. Not easy to do, but sometimes necessary.

 

[Eggcessive]

Very sorry that you lost her, but good that you were able to end her suffering.

 

[Kiki]